Word Origin & History

c.1500, "beam or shaft of a barrow or sledge," also "a barrow or truck body" (1510s), Scottish, originally in reference to the iron trucks used in coal mines, probably from Middle Flemish tram "beam, handle of a barrow, bar, rung," a North Sea Germanic word of unknown origin. The sense of "track for a barrow, tramway" is first recorded 1826; that of "streetcar" is first recorded 1860. Tram-car is attested from 1873.

Example Sentences for tram

She waved her hand to him as the tram drove off, and he waved his in reply.

There was the tram line, if m'sieur did not care to take a fiacre.

I'll get it before we start home and I can be reading it over all the time on the tram.

Afterwards I took the tram to Posilipo and came home by boat.

The tram was already gliding away at some distance down the road.

I meant to go to the village, and walk up and take the tram.

I waited for a second tram, but that was still more crowded.

A big electric sweeper was struggling to keep the tram lines clear.

They took the tram out of the city and struck into the country.

The driver of the tram, seeing Mary in its path, put on the brakes sharply.